Morning Bell: The Policy Is The Problem

Prior to his September 9th, health care “make or break” press conference, the Wall Street Journal estimated that President Barack Obama had by that time already given 27 speeches entirely devoted to health care and he had mentioned the issue prominently in another 92. While the September 9th presser bumped approval of Obamacare all the way up to 51% in Rasmussen’s tracking poll by September 13th, today that number is down to 43% with a record high of 56% disapproving. Undaunted the White House again plastered President Obama on as many friendly media outlets as possible this weekend. Yesterday he appeared on five Sunday news shows (every major network excluding FOX News, but including Univision), and tonight Obama will appear on David Letterman.

The result of this latest media blitz? Nothing. Politico reports: “In the interviews taped Friday – the first time a sitting president has done five Sunday shows back-to-back – Obama broke little new ground in how he tried to sell his own program, which has sharply divided his own party and left many in the public confused and deeply skeptical.” Asked by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos if he “lost control” of the health care debate, President Obama replied: “Well, not so much lost control, but where I’ve said to myself, somehow I’m not breaking through.”

Mr. President, if you didn’t break through the first 32 times, maybe it is not the message that is the problem. Maybe the problem is that the American people do understand what your health care plan will mean for them, and they just don’t like it.

Individual Mandates: Starting in 2013, almost everyone who does not have coverage would be required to purchase health insurance at a minimum level to be specified in the bill. Any individual who fails to buy health insurance will be forced to pay a tax by the Internal Revenue Service. Depending on your income and family status the new tax would be as low as $750 per person and as high as $3,800 per family. Worse, in order to enforce these provisions, the Baucus bill would require individuals, health insurers, employers, and government health agencies to report detailed health insurance information on all Americans to the IRS, adding significant administrative costs and reducing privacy protections.

Unfunded Mandates: All adults with incomes at 133 percent of poverty ($14,440 for single person) would be eligible for Medicaid under the bill. The current and very broken Medicaid program is unsustainable for states and poorly serves the needy and the indigent who depend upon it. Under the Baucus bill, there is no real relief for states in the cost of the current program. States will still face a steep budget cliff in December 2010 when the federal matching formula for Medicaid payment expires. Adding additional costs through expansion of eligibility and benefits is adding people to a sinking boat.

Middle Class Tax Hike: During the 2008 presidential campaign and at the inception of the current national health care reform debate, the President promised that with the enactment of his agenda, the typical American family would see an annual $2,500 reduction in health care premium costs. But, beginning in 2013, the Baucus bill would impose a new federal excise tax on high cost health insurance plans. The tax would be applied to health plans valued at $8,000 for single policies and $21,000 for family policies. Because not all workers in such plans are high income, many will likely be on the receiving end of a middle class income tax increase, which contradicts President Obama’s promise that “if your family earns less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: not one single dime.”

A new Gallup poll shows that 57% of Americans say the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to businesses and individuals. Another 51% say the federal government today has too much power. The American people are clearly signaling that they want less, not more, government influence in the health care system. The White House should stop talking to the American people and start listening.

Quick Hits:

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, told the Obama administration last month that the situation in the country is “deteriorating” and that without additional resources, the U.S.-led coalition could lose the war.

45% of Americans say there is too much government regulation of business (compared to only 24% who say there is too little regulation). The 45% “too much” reading is the highest number since Gallup started asking the question.

President Obama said in an interview aired Sunday that the community organizing group ACORN should be investigated for offering tax help to a couple posing as a pimp and a prostitute in widely watched videotapes.

Join The Discussion

Art.1, Sec.8 of the US Constitution only lists a few particulars under general welfare that allow the Federal Government to be involved in, i.e. post office, coin money (silver and gold only), fund a military, etc. They try to use the commerce clause to say that they can regulate imports and exports that go into the states and get further involved. Their regulation is limited to keeping free trade and travel routes and prevention of taxation of imports/exports between states; that is it! The tenth amendment states that anything not listed in Art.1, Sec.8 for the government to be involved in, is left for the states.

IF the Healthcare bill is signed into law, it will be interesting to see how those that currently choose not to be insured handle their options. It could very well be that paying the penalty might be cheaper than what the insurance companies might charge to be covered. Very interesting. How will BIG GOVERNMENT react to that?

The president and the democrat party want reformed health care legislation. It is how they intend to buy the voters loyalty to their party for generations. Look at how sacred social security, medicare and the other entitlements are. One day, conservatives will see that as long as they preach religion in government and politics, they will remain marginalized and ineffective on the nation level. Republicans have no one but themselves to shame for the direction this administration is going. They insisted on seeking divine intervention and running a weak, sorry candidate, who in turn picked a running mate that at best, should not be beyond city council politics.

Obama is like a huckster. He tries to seduce the American people by his oratory which succeeded at first for some and got him elected. Now people are beginning to understand that it is all bombast without substance.

He is a con-man pure and simple. But more than that he is a demigod and wants us to worship him while he controls our lives.

Yesterday on television Rep. Boehmer was asked, derisively, if he REALLY thought Obama was a socialist. Boehmer chickened out and said he wouldn't call him that.

Obama is pushing for the government to control everything. Is that not the thinking of Marxism? Obama IS A SOCIALIST!!! pure and simple. He walks like one; he talks like one; he believes like one! Then, let's be honest and call him what he is!

Why are people afraid to label him what he is? Is it fear? Is it massive denial?

The left ridicules the idea; but have you noticed that ridicule is their way of handling ugly truths they don't want revealed?

The left distracts us with individual issues and we focus on one at a time. We need to step back and look at the whole picture. The real installation they want to bring about is a socialistic country! The real issue we face is Freedom vs. slavery! That is the ultimate danger to America!

If we allow socialism to be accomplished, America will be finished! We will no longer be "the shining City on the hill" We will be a people living under a despotic state; we will exist ONLY for the benefit of the state and allowed to exist based on our usefulness to the state! Read the draconian ideas and plans Obama's czars have.

Once we reject their plans, America will be able to work on resuming its former health and stature.

Problems need to be fixed the right way. Most are caused by government; we must not believe they have any answers. It is all about control to them; Marxist control!

The same healthcare that Goverment officials get is the same healthcare we all should get. Healthcare was affordable at one time when the Goverment was not in it. I suggest that the Goverment get out of the healthcare issue altogether. Let free market take over and penalize anyone cheating or over charging for healthcare.

Big anything dose not work. private business work, Corperations does not. Wall Street is a failure and should be discontinued.

The problem is that he "has been transparent" on his health care vision; and, Americans do not like what they see.

He has made no bones about wanting a "government option" translated as, "It will eventually be the only option because private business cannot compete, so meanwhile you can keep your doctor, etc., etc., etc."

The problem is that too many voters (where are you now?) did not "listen" to him on the campaign trail.

Health Care is the FIRST step. What are the rest of the steps? If he laid them out in front of the American people, his approval ratings would drop to 10% (radical leftists).

They KNOW this! Why was the rush to get the legislation done before August recess? THAT IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.

It's a sad day for America because we have a President, who, the first in my memory, isn't doing what is best for Americans on all fronts. I know the guys like O'Reily want to give him the benefit of the doubt but I say everthing these guys, or this administration, touches has turned south. Starting with TARP, the appointments of the CZAR's, the budget, unemployment at 10%, the defecit, the bailouts; both in banking and the automotive industries, the renaming of 9/11 to Patriot Day, cutting defense; no missles in Poland and reducing our nuclear arsenal, Acorn and the lack of a solid 'go get them attitude for breaking the law'and prosecuting, taking over the student loan program, the health care debacle, etc. These are not programs that benefit everyone and the unintended counsequences of these misteps will cost us big time. The other major problem with all of this is that there isn't a plan in place to turn things around quickly.

We all should take note today is the anniversity of H. G. Wells' birthday, the author of the Time Machine. In this excellent novel, Wells goes to the year 802, 279 [approx] where he meets the Eloi and the Morlocks. The Morlocks are the providers, of food, water, everything and creates a paradise for Eloi, or it appears so. No one ever ages as there are simply no old people, everyone is young, and has no regard for the value of human life. In return for the benevolence and giving of the Morlocks, the Eloi are regularly eaten by the Morlocks. The Morlocks are cannibals. Wells, a devote Socialist, wrote about the darker side of Human Beings, and also captured the dark side of the effects of socialism. Eloi seems very close to Ennui, where one just does note care. We all should re read this wonderful novel and take away the dire lessons contained within. The movie is also very good.

If this is so very important, why are we having to wait 4 YEARS for implementation?

"Individual Mandates: Starting in 2013, almost everyone who does not have coverage would be required to purchase health insurance at a minimum level to be specified in the bill." How many people will suffer during those intervening years? So I believe this is NOT to help anyone, other than the government being able to dig a little deeper into our pockets, and our business…I STILL DO NOT WANT IT.

Good Point. There is no common sense. If there was, the admin could explain to us what the END game is. Even the First Lady stated Health Care was the FIRST step. I shudder to think what steps are going to follow…

Does it occur to any one that the $600Billion or so, remainder of the Stimulus money is being handed out very slowly in order for a large piece of it to be usable as a huge "slush fund" to buy votes in the critical mid terms coming up in Nov 2010. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm????

Michael Hoyes:The reason you have to wait seveal years is because they have to develope about 32 agencies to administer the health program they have in mind.

So when a proposal gets voted on, if it has Federal involvement, many agencies have to write the procedures that they will follow to run the program. That's why this will be a boondogle of the biggest proportions.

In fact a very outspoken Britsh gentleman was on O'reilly,[forgot his name} and told the story how the Brits got Gov control of health care. Supposedly he said that it happened during the last stages of WWII when the Brits were ALMOST defeated and it was the best they could do at the time. However it is has the most number of employed civil workers in existance.

So therefore when they say our health care program would take 3 or 4 years to implement, it is because to create the massive agencies it needs to develope it's rules and regulatons would require 32 agencies.

Asked why the Brits wouldn't change the system, He claims the sheer number of employees would make it impossible to make changes to a privately run health care system.

Besides when have you ever seen an agency get disolved or disbanded in any Government?

He also said why the Americans would even consider changing is far beyond his understanding.

So sorry to hear about all of your health problems. Hope you do not have more, because Mr. O. is calling for a $622 Billion cut in Medicare/Medicaid spending in the next 10 years, and you can bet the farm on the fact you will be paying a lot more than 30 bucks for a surgery, IF you are even permitted to have the surgery since you appear to be a senior citizen. Good luck!

I had health insurance and had saved all of my sick leave to pay for it in retirement. It amounted to quite a bit, and I was told a month before retirement that I did not have to take medicare, BUT my insurance would only cover the 20% that medicare would not cover. So all of the employees that used their sick leave still went on medicare, because you really do not have a choice.

But while I haven't had too many problems, like operations, if the health care program goes into affect,you and I will see a reduction of the services that we would recieve presently.

SO even though Obama says over and over nothing will change, do you think if you were older you would get just any operation with out the issue of cost and outcome decided?

What do you think it means when they say there is millions of waste in Medicare?

What do you think it means that someone will decide what is cost effective?

If they could identify there is millions of fraud involved in medicare,why didn't they use every means possible to correct it?

Medicare was proposed in 1965. How old were you then? Did you even know it was mandatory that when you got to be 65 {even if you had insurance} you had to sign up for it?

It was avantageous for my employer to make sure I filed for medicare!

Did you even know you were paying for medicare since 1965?

I was only 34 yrs old. I wasn't thinking about retirement! I thought yes I am paying for my pension{7 1/2%} and Social security {7%} and each went up according to inflation!

Don't you think if all your payments plus your employers contribution, plus your contribution to a fund {medicare} that if it was deposited to your very own account, you could have enough for private care now?

Mr. Jarvis, I'm still paying income taxes, and property taxes and a mortgage, but who are the recipients of all this spred the wealth around,

cash for clunkers, bails outs,send every one to college; etc etc.

Fifty % of the general public pay no income taxes!!

How many of the general public recieve an income tax credit in April when I pay my taxes?

I am not wealthy, nor do I have an income that I did not pay for from my earnings all my life!!

I am well under the 40k!

I have to help support my family! none of that is tax deductable!

My elderly brothers live on social security and small employer paid pensions. They have a difficult time, When Bush put in the prescription plan, they said you do not have to join!! But all the emplyers cut out the prescription plans!!

Their prescriptions went from 5 and 10$ to 30, 40, &$70.

So your story does not show the whole picture

Don't you know, The more you put in the Governments control/hands some one gains and some one looses !!

How do you make a bad situation worse? Answer, you Obamize it. For example, cap and trade–the solution for a non problem. To succeed in lowering world CO2 to glacial levels as the Greens desire would seriously affect agriculture and an awfully lot of the world's poor would starve. After 20 years of scientific research designed to prove CO2 is a serious problem in our atmosphere, it has been determined that doubling the amount would only increase world temperatures less than 1 degree C. That is less than the ordinary variation (noise) from year to year. Our real problem is Green hysteria.

To Heritage Org. I have sent many emails encompassing the truth about Obama care, and just like the state run media you REFUSE to print the truth. Your "sensors" are obviously liberal as the nut job Ken Jarvis's emails always are printed. Heritage will no longer receive any support from me and I am cancelling your emails to me. Thank you, Dave McDuffie.

I would like to know if we the tax payers are being billed for any of the TV time Obama is racking up in his big media Blitz to tax Americans into Health Care and other issues where "Where Do No Want To Go"

Ken Jarvis, you forgot to include your $100 a month you pay out of pocket for your medicaid. Really, Ken, if you think we will all be blessed by your set costs, think again. Where you may not see any corruption at all, it's there and will be increased to an ugly level.

[…] Heritage’s Conn Carroll counts speeches and public opinion and concludes: “Mr. President, if you didn’t break through the first 32 times, maybe it is not the message that is the problem. Maybe the problem is that the American people do understand what your health care plan will mean for them, and they just don’t like it.” […]

I do not want one dime of my money spend aborting children But that is already happening. We MUST get rid of ALL of these career politicians, regardless of the brand of lies they claim to espouse. It Is ALL smoke and mirrors.

My fundamental conflict with the "left" is that at least one, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) Mi believes that health care is a right. I have this in writing from her. By declaring it a "right" Congress gives themselves license to legislate as they deem fit. The reality is that entitlement programs tend to get them reelected regardless of the effects of the entitlements. I have not found any entitlement programs that have actually accomplished their goals – other than creating a voter base for legislators job security

I have had several comments that I thought were insightful and wanted to share them with my Heritage emailers. A few got posted but not the ones that were fulled with fury and highly truthful.

So, with so many just deleted,I too feel this is not the place of free speech.

No I did not insite violence or over through the gov.

but what I did state simply was that people who are elected officials and are not wealthy when they were voted in became wealthy before they ever leave. There fore the power and the wealth that keeps coming to them regardless of what it does to our country, is too much for them to vote honestly.

I also critized some elected officials and I also feared that if and when it appears that Obama can't get the votes to pass a health care bill that they will find a "provacatour" to create violence and cause Obama to call for Martial law.

and do away with anyfuture elections.

You didn't print that post, but I thought if you have second thoughts you can leave it up to my fellow Americans to see if i'm out of line.

I love when some one boast of how little they paid for medical care when all along they know some one else paid the final bill for them and they just don't care.

Diverting your health cost to some one else and bragging that your government extorted that finance from some one elses needs so you can get away with not paying full price for something is the attitude of a true socialist. Close your eyes, let the government coerce the money from some other poor family so you don't have to take responsibility for your own life, beautiful.

That is tantamount to hiring a hit man to steal from others to make your way through life…….so un American but becoming so prevalent.

On another thought, If Obama is so cowardly as not to face opposition as meager as FOX news, how the heck is he going to face world opposition????? Or does he plan capitulation as his plan of attack and the mighty shield of the teleprompter?

We must Stop the insanity The ONLY way to do that is to remove EVERY elected person as soon as they come up for re-election. If WE do not REMOVE EVERY SINGLE One, we are DOOMED. we have to get them ALL out! They are confident that we are to stupid to get enough of them at one time to have any affect. So far, they are correct. Why do you think they call us names and ignore us?

I had forgotten about the "MORLOCKS". What a great "futuristic" movie!

Unfortunately, we don't need to take a time machine into the future to encounter the MORLOCKS.

The MORLOCKS are already in our midst. They are devouring our future in every possible way, from economics, to social brainwashing through our educational institutions, to encroaching on our personal freedoms.

The MORLOCKS say "follow the rule of law – which we do anyway" and then begin to change our laws to suit their definition of what a "re-invented" America should be.

The radical left-wing extremist liberal Alinskyites ARE the MORLOCKS; their goal is to cannibalize our freedoms and institute "conformity" with their socialist/communist agenda.

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